Imagine if 30 of your starving friends were rounded up for execution because you and another stole rice.
If no one came forward, they would all die. What would you do?
It was the situation Australian prisoner of war (POW) Private Richard Murray found himself in after an attempt to increase his and his mate's food ration.
The Japanese discovered the stolen rice hidden under a hut and threatened to execute 30 prisoners unless the one responsible came forward.
He was presented with two choices, both fatal.
Private Murray stepped forward and took sole responsibility.
He was severely beaten, tied to a tree, then hours later taken down a track and bayoneted.
Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award (JCGSA) recipient Corporal Sarah Kerr told his story during the Sandakan Death March study tour in the jungles of Borneo, Malaysia.
"That's what you call a true hero," Corporal Kerr said.
He was posthumously awarded the Commendation for Gallantry in 2022.
JCGSA ambassador Corporal Meghan Manuzic learned of Private Harry Longley, a man from Yass, NSW, who lied about his age and enlisted at 17 years old.
Known as a larrikin and good for morale, he was also known for putting his body on the line to protect his mates.
"Longley would sacrifice himself in different ways to make things easier for his mates," Corporal Manuzic said.
'That's what you call a true hero.'
Indigenous soldier Private Jimmy Darlington struck a Japanese soldier for washing his clothes in a prisoners' cooking pot. As punishment, he was tied to a stake and left in the sun to suffer.
Private Longley instigated a riot with mates to distract the guards, allowing another prisoner to release Private Darlington, who was at risk of death.
He was also part of a group that would sneak out at night to collect rice and fruit to share, taking great personal risk.
"What these men sacrificed was their comfort and safety to make things easier for each other," Corporal Manuzic said.
JCGSA recipient Corporal Rebecca Ross discovered controversy from an escapee's account of events during war crime trials.
Gunner Neil Cleary escaped but was recaptured and returned to camp, where he was laid flat and tethered to a log. He was beaten, struck in the face and body with rifle butts, and subjected to spitting and urination.
During the war crime trials, testimony from Private Keith Botterill contributed to the conviction of several Japanese guards.
Towards the end of Botterill's life, historian Lynette Silver challenged his account.
"He admitted he'd fabricated the extent of torture to ensure the Japanese guards on trial would face justice," Corporal Ross said.
Because so few witnesses survived the POW camps and death marches, the case against those particular guards lacked legal strength until Botterill gave his testimony.
'The uniform takes on the meaning of the best parts of all those who came before us.'
JCGSA recipient Sergeant Nathanael Bull researched Warrant Officer John Kinder, the sole Royal Australian Air Force member to walk the death march.
Appointed camp master by the Japanese, with duties that included distributing food to prisoners, he was never criticised for how he carried out his responsibilities.
While on the death march, Warrant Officer Kinder defended his men from acts of violence and cannibalism.
He died of malnutrition and disease on the track, and as a testament to his character, another prisoner buried him off the track in the only known marked grave.
"He demonstrated true leadership, where he was in service of his men, not putting himself in a position where he could take and break that trust," Sergeant Bull said.
Corporal Manuzic said learning these stories gave her a deeper appreciation for the uniform she wears.
"The uniform takes on the meaning of the best parts of all those who came before us," she said.
"It's our obligation to uphold those standards."
Most stories from the World War 2 Sandakan Death Marches have been lost to time, due to the 99.75 per cent fatality rate.
Research by Australian historians, Malaysian tour operators and escapee testimonies has preserved some of the experiences from that time.
As part of the JCGSA study tour, awardees retraced the steps of Australian prisoners of war.
